Only One King in Heaven

Yesterday, Michael Jackson died. His real name, of course, is Mikaeel, having been changed upon his conversion to Islam last November.

If you've watched any of the coverage, you know that there is an overwhelming assumption that Mikaeel is in heaven based upon the millions of adoring fans whose lives were touched by his music. Besides, he's the "King of Pop." Certainly God is impressed, right?

This would be a good time for all of us to remember that "it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27)." This week, Mikaeel, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon were just individuals standing before a holy God. At that moment, earthly accomplishments ceased to matter and all that now matters is what they have done with Jesus Christ.

Rankin Hit a Home Run

I listened to Jerry Rankin's address to the Southern Baptist Convention last night. He knocked it out of the park. Due to financial constraints, the IMB has had to reduce the number of missionaries that it will support, lowering the number by 400 missionaries in the next year. Rankin asked Southern Baptists whether or not they believe that 5,000 missionaries (what we will have after the cuts) are enough to reach the world? The obvious answer is "No!"

Frankly, if the SBC is going to make cuts, the last place where cuts should be made is the IMB missionary force. I cannot help but think that an organization that raises $17 billion per year can find somewhere else to begin downsizing. Yes, cuts are painful, but they are more painful when millions of people will never hear the name of Jesus as a result.

We Knew It Was Offensive

I hate urban legends. I rarely go a day without getting one in my email. Someone received an email about some company or some politician attacking Christians when such attack never took place. Some evidence supporting our cause comes out when such evidence never existed. Snopes is my constant friend and I'm amazed that people don't evaluate slander before they send it...especially Christians who should actually care about the truth.

All of that being said, I am going to post something that will almost sound like an urban legend, but it is an email from a pastor I know in Utah regarding an experience he had with Wells Fargo Bank. Read the email, and do whatever you feel right, if anything at all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hello All,

I first want to let you know that this email is not meant to offend anyone. If you read this and are offended please accept my personal apology and delete this email. If you receive this it is because I think you might be someone who is a friend and would want to know.

This is not a scam or an urban myth. This is a conversation I had myself with Wells Fargo Bank. I talked to customer service, online service and their executive office. I am still in contact and have more to do, but I wanted you to be updated on what Wells Fargo Bank sees as inappropriate.

If you have an account with Wells Fargo Bank, you can customize your debit or credit card to fit your personality or needs. That is the way they advertise it.

“The Wells Fargo Card Design Studio service is a free feature that lets you customize the design of your personal and business credit and debit cards. Customizing your card online is easy-and free. We'll provide a library of images for you to use, or you can upload your own. Simply make sure you have your digital image ready to upload, then get started below.”

I went online to do this for two of my cards that I use for the Church account and the Missions account. That way I could at a glance know the different cards. I read the rules and saw nothing wrong with the pictures I submitted. I submitted a picture of our Church building (which has a sign of the Church name on the building) and a picture that I took of our flag stand that we have for missions. Both of these pictures were denied without reason. So I called the customer service person and she said it was because those were religious and political images and are inappropriate. I asked her why and she said because they might offend other customers or retailers taking the cards. It might be perceived that Wells Fargo indorses our church. I asked her if she saw how ridicules her statement was? She said “no”. Here is their rule that they used to deny my pictures copied from their website:

Imagery or messaging that is violent, offensive, or anti-social; contains nudity or obscenity; or is political or religious in nature

It is sad to see that an American company that began as a home town Bank thinks that a picture of my Church building is offensive in the same line as nudity and obscenity! I would understand if I had a cross (burning or not), swastika, or an anti-America slant – but the picture of the front of our building… come on!

I do not want to do anything rash or harsh or start a political faction of anti-Wells Fargo, but I do want to inform as we see our country going further and further away from our heritage. I will be reviewing our options as we go forward and see where this leads me. If you have any thoughts, comments, or ideas please feel free to let me know.

Serving Him Because Of Who He Is!
Blake Alling
Pastor
Springville Baptist Church

If the Daughter's Name Had Not Been Palin?

Michelle Malkin hit the nail on the head with her response to David Letterman's attacks on Sarah Palin and her 14 year old daughter. Letterman, of course, recently created a stir by joking that Alex Rodriguez "knocked up" the underage girl during her visit to a Yankee's game.

This follows a recent incident in which Playboy magazine (which I don't read, by the way) ran a story by Guy Cimbalo in which he listed the top ten conservative women he wanted to rape.

Where is the backlash from feminists? Where is Nancy Pelosi's angry response? What if the name of the underage daughter had been Clinton or Obama? What if Michelle Obama's name had been on Cimbalo's "rape list?"

Feminists in America today seem to only be concerned with the rights of liberal women. No others are apparently worth protection or respect.

I Signed

After a couple weeks considering it, I have joined 3,409 others in signing the "Great Commission Resurgence Declaration."

You can read the document HERE and add your signature if you feel led.

Back in the Saddle

As most of you know, I was at a Doctor of Ministry seminar at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary last week. The month prior was spent preparing for the seminar, so I had to take a hiatus from blogging.

Anyway, I was very impressed by the plans of a church in California. Cornerstone Church in Semi Valley has decided that for their new sanctuary, they are going to save money by building an outdoor ampitheatre. From their website...

"The idea of building an outdoor sanctuary rather than an auditorium sprung from a desire to save millions of dollars. It came from a belief that God would rather we spend that money in other ways. It comes from a thought that God would receive more glory from seeing His children sacrifice for others- namely, those around the world who lack basic necessities. The idea then evolved into developing the property into more of a park-like setting that could be enjoyed by the church and community throughout the week. In this way, we would be giving to our community as well as to the needy around the world."

This won't work everywhere, but I am impressed that Cornerstone is taking on the issue of worship space in a radically different way.